Page 44 of Billion Dollar Vow (The Lincoln Brothers #4)

“Don’t get your hopes up,” she says with a quirked eyebrow, touching my chest. “This isn’t becoming a thing.”

I lean closer, my voice dropping. “What if I end up buying the gallery? Will you wear them for opening night?”

“Only for opening night,” she replies with a smirk.

“Deal.” I move my lips to her ear. “Because I am going to get it.”

She playfully rolls her eyes as her smile grows. “So cocky.”

“And you love it,” I quip, earning a laugh that lights up her entire face.

The moment is interrupted by the soft chime of a bell as the waiter approaches. “Dessert is served.”

“Time to retake our seats,” I say, leading her back.

There’s a reluctance in me to break this private moment we’ve created.

Walking beside her, my hand in hers, feels natural and not just playing the part of husband and wife.

The reason for tonight doesn’t seem quite as important as it did when we first arrived.

As the sound of silverware hitting glass hushes the room, Mr. Warne rises from his chair, his eyes sweeping the crowd. “I’d like to make a toast.”

Everyone turns toward him. My hand instinctively slips onto Karley’s thigh, and she interlaces her fingers with mine.

Mr. Warne’s voice carries over the quiet. “As most of you know, I’ve owned this gallery since I was young. I won’t bore you with numbers because, frankly, I don’t want you figuring out how old I am.”

Laughter ripples throughout the space, including my own, though mine comes from a place of tension rather than amusement. I catch Liam smiling across the table. We both know what’s coming. My grip on Karley’s hand tightens as I brace myself for Mr. Warne’s next words.

“But life has a funny way of telling you when it’s time for change.” His gaze drops to his wife, Eden, who smiles up at him with quiet encouragement.

“My sweet wife and I have decided it’s time to sell this gallery and retire. Truthfully, I’m scared. But with her by my side, I know life will be anything but dull.”

“I love you,” Eden whispers, her voice carrying through the silence.

Mr. Warne’s voice thickens with emotion. “This gallery isn’t just a place; it’s my heart. I wanted to pass it on to someone who would cherish it as much as I have. And so, I’d like to announce that the new owner will be… Oliver Lincoln.”

Applause erupts around me. My heart is erratic. After years of work, countless late nights, and ruthless dedication, it’s finally happening. This gallery will be mine. Karley gasps beside me, pulling me into a tight hug. “Looks like I’ll be wearing these heels again sooner than I thought—”

“Hang on.” Liam’s sharp voice interrupts, rising from his seat and pointing a finger at me. “They don’t deserve it.”

A cold dread spreads through me.

Silence takes over the celebratory moment, tension thickening the air. Mr. Warne’s brow furrows, unimpressed. “Why?”

“They’re not even really married,” Liam spits, crossing his arms.

My stomach is in knots as I try to find a way out of this. Everything we’ve worked for, including me and Karley, is unraveling. I force myself to remain calm, though my heart is shrinking. “Come on, don’t be bitter now.”

“They only got married for the gallery. They’ll split the second the ink dries on the deal.”

A storm brews in my chest, my mind spinning. But I’d be damned if I let him ruin this for Karley and me.

My hands move with purpose, pulling my phone from my pocket.

The screen lights up as I find the photo of our marriage certificate.

“You’re wrong.” I flip the screen around, the image glowing in the dim light of the gallery, the proof for everyone to see.

I glance quickly at Karley, trying to make sure she’s okay.

Liam doesn’t flinch. “Well, congratulations,” he sneers. “But let’s not pretend. You only did it to get the gallery, and the second it’s yours, you’ll break up.”

“Where’s your evidence?” I snap.

Liam smirks, leaning back as if he’s already won. “If you were so in love and so real, how did you not know the artist, Blue Lotus… is your wife ?”

The room collectively gasps, whispers spreading like wildfire. Dan and Eden exchange wide-eyed looks of disbelief.

My chest tightens as the words hit me like a freight train. I look to Karley, my stomach twisting. She’s silent, her head bowed, her gaze fixed on the table. Her fingers grip the napkin in her lap, knuckles white.

I reach out, gently tipping her chin up with my fingers. Her eyes meet mine, shimmering with unshed tears. There it is… confirmation. No. No fucking way. My mouth opens, but no words come.

“That’s right. They’re frauds.” Liam’s accusation cuts through the tension like a blade.

The world tilts. My pulse pounds wildly, trying to catch up with my thoughts. There’s too much to process…too much to feel. But before I can say a word, Karley rises abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor.

“Excuse me,” she murmurs, her voice breaking as she walks away, shoulders stiff and head held high.

I push my chair back to follow, but Eden’s hand on my arm stops me. “Let me,” she says softly.

I hesitate, every instinct screaming at me to go to her, but Mr. Warne steps in, his firm grip on my shoulder anchoring me. “Give her a moment,” he says. “Come with me.”

Reluctantly, I let him guide me to the side; the gallery buzzing with hushed murmurs behind us.

“Explain,” Mr. Warne demands, his tone low but urgent. “Everything. Now.”

The words spill out of me, unfiltered and raw.

“Karley’s my best friend’s sister. I knew she loved art, so when you mentioned the gallery and the marriage stipulation, I thought she’d be perfect.

We went to Vegas and got married. At first, it was just a plan, but.

.. the more time we spent together, the more real it became.

We fell for each other. We’re together. I swear.

” As the words leave my lips, I realize I don’t care if Mr. Warne believes me or not.

My eyes search the room for Karley, concern for her above everything else. I need to make sure she’s okay.

Mr. Warne studies me, his expression unreadable. “And the paintings? How did you not know?”

I drag a hand through my hair, frustration coursing through me. “I don’t know. She never said a word. She kept it from me.”

Images of Karley’s eyes when she talks about trust, the vulnerability about her past, the way she gradually opened up to me.

.. She wouldn’t keep something this big without a reason.

“But she’s not the type to betray me,” I add, more to myself than to him.

“Trust is everything to her. There has to be a reason.”

Mr. Warne watches me for a long moment before nodding. “Do you love her?”

The question catches me off guard, but my answer is immediate, without hesitation. “Yes. I do. More than anything.”

“Then you’d better run after her and tell her,” Mr. Warne says firmly, a flicker of a smile breaking through his seriousness. “Because she just left.”

I whip around, my eyes darting toward the gallery’s entrance. Sure enough, through the glass doors, I see her disappearing into the night.

Mr. Warne’s hand on my arm pulls me back for one last moment. “You’ve got the gallery,” he says quietly. “Now, go get your woman.”

His words push me forward. I don’t care about the shouts from Liam or the commotion behind me. All I see is her running, dress clinging to her in the rain.

The world blurs as I burst through the doors, the cool night like a slap. The rain is coming down harder now, soaking through my shirt as I scan the street.

She’s ahead, her pace unsteady, her arms wrapped around herself against the chill.

“Karley!” I call out, my heart pounding.

She doesn’t stop, doesn’t turn. But I won’t let her go, not like this. Not tonight.

I break into a sprint, the rain splashing around my feet, determination driving me forward.

I have to catch her. I have to fix this.